August 11, 2003

CRIME AND SEROXAT

Does anyone actually go to prison in the UK?

A man arrested for armed robbery and theft has had charges against him dropped after medical experts concluded that his behaviour could have been altered by the severe withdrawal symptoms he was experiencing from the antidepressant Seroxat.

Wily East End break-and-enter merchants are right now lying to doctors in order to get their alibi prescriptions. “I’m ever so depressed, doc. I need some of that Zerocat. Yeah. And some for me missus, as she too is depressed, on account of England’s high crime rate and the beatings and everyfing.”

Posted by Tim Blair at August 11, 2003 01:04 AM
Comments

Er, yes, people do go to prison in the UK.

That'll be why incareration rates are at record levels, won't it?

Posted by: Analogue Voter at August 11, 2003 at 01:35 AM

Oh, yes, I forgot. They keep locking up all those old men who defend their property against burglars. My mistake.

Posted by: tim at August 11, 2003 at 01:45 AM

Is that a "mistake" like US support for Saddam Hussein at the height of his atrocities, or "mistake" as in simply not bothering with troublesome things like facts?

Btw - the "old man", Tony Martin, is now free and about to fight a bizarre (I'm sure you'll agree) claim for compensation by the burglar he shot.

Posted by: Analogue Voter at August 11, 2003 at 03:52 AM

Analogue: No I would not agree it is bizarre (defining bizarre as not ordinary). Why, just a few years ago a cab driver in San Francisco caught a fleeing mugger by pinning him against a wall with his cab. If I recall correctly, the driver was charged but ultimately acquitted of assault charges, but was sued by the mugger, who won over $20,000.

Posted by: Ken Summers at August 11, 2003 at 06:12 AM

Perhaps it's a "mistake" like saying the US installed Saddam. Or does that fall under "simply not bothering with troublesome things like facts"?

Posted by: scott h. at August 11, 2003 at 06:34 AM

Speaking of Martin, the family of the thugs who have been terrorizing him have vowed he'll pay for taking the life of one of their own. Also, the second burglar, who was released from jail before Martin is suing Martin for 150,000#. A person who has never done an honest day's work in his life is including 'loss of potential wages' among the reasons for his suit.

There may be a record number of people in jail, but they need more jails and tougher laws. Just read the papers. Assault and burglary are at an all time high there. If I lived in the UK, I'd shoot and kill the person who threatened my family. It would be my word against a dead person's as to exactly what happened.

I'd be willing to bet a jury would let me off.

Posted by: Chris Josephson at August 11, 2003 at 10:03 AM

Maybe you could get off a drink driving charge. All that booze and you could not be expected to think straight. Its not their fault they drive.

Since when is intoxication a defence - be it drug or alcohol, be it actually under the influence or withdrawing.

Thats a strange system.

Posted by: Gilly at August 12, 2003 at 04:49 PM